Toddler Program
What we deliver daily at South Shore Montessori:
We are providing a rich environment that has your family and toddler feeling loved, safe, nurtured, and ready to explore and grow! Teachers are consistently calm, gentle, soft-spoken, patient, and trusting. They demonstrate respect and compassion by using eye contact, kneeling to the level of the child, addressing your children by name, and speaking before touching or moving them. The result is a calm, soothing and re-assuring atmosphere in which consistent caregivers create an emotional safe haven for those in our care.
South Shore Montessori advances each child’s development to their fullest potential at their own pace through a well-prepared environment designed just for toddlers. The classroom is a special place for the young child to discover independence and self – reliance. In developing a trusted relationship, we form a bond that has your toddler feeling at ease within their environment. Our approach safely supports your child’s drive to do things alone, developing confidence and a sense of competence.
Our calm and cozy classroom has children encouraged to explore in a safe and nurturing way. The environment is language-rich, with faculty using proper expressive language, so that the children are exposed to and develop a broad vocabulary. The teachers also support toddlers in communicating with each other.
Our toddler classroom is described as a joyful and energetic environment that is home away from home. Our teachers are dedicated to delivering our promise, that your children are cared for at the highest level.
Why Montessori Philosophy is appealing to Toddler parents.
Our Montessori environment for the toddler gives the freedom to safely explore and learn through discovery. Montessori recognizes that toddlers begin building the foundation for who they are to become a productive citizen. They begin to form their character, self-esteem, purpose of life, social skills, and learning processes. Parents see in the short span of a year or so, their child experiences an explosion of language, along with dramatic advancement in fine and gross motor control, problem solving, independence, and social interaction.
Parents see under the guidance of our Montessori trained teachers their children gain self-confidence as they work independently at their own pace with Montessori specific materials that encourage logical thought, creativity, and responsibility. Parents appreciate the balanced approach we provide that gives opportunities to practice coordination through artistic, musical, and kinesthetic activities. In our Montessori classroom children are gently introduced to the rules of the community and discover the pleasure in being patient, respectful, and polite.
Parents are impressed by our Montessori lessons that exceed state learning standards. The Montessori Program for Toddlers nurtures order, concentration, and independence in children from the moment they enter the classroom. Each child achieves a deeper understanding of complex learning concepts using a hands-on learning approach.
How Toddlers Learn?
The toddler classroom is a community in which toddler work independently, observe others, explore freely, and express their curiosity and creativity. The toddler years are the time when children use their bodies, senses, and emerging problem-solving skills to explore while making sense of their world, in ways most meaningful and effective for them.
Dr. Montessori was one of the first educators to recognize the first few years of a child’s life as critical to the development of personality and intellect. Toddlers are actively seeking out information, they learn quickly and easily, and are especially interested in demonstrating independence.
Toddlers explore and discover through active play. In addition, our teachers give toddlers responsive, individualized attention with appropriate learning materials to help build skills in:
- Sensory and Perception
- Self-help
- Language
- Physical and Motor Skills
- Social and Emotional Growth
Our learning materials are designed to develop the above listed skills by improving concentration and instilling a sense of achievement. Toddlers select the material that interests them, use it for as long as they would like, clean it up (with assistance when needed), and when ready choose their next activity.
“The toddler is a reality of the present, yet a glimpse of the future.”
— Maria Montessori
Equipment that supports gross and fine motor skills, are available for toddlers to try. Child-sized furniture, utensils, and other tools enable children to make independent choices and complete activities, which builds self-confidence, concentration, and critical thinking skills. A self-care area fosters toilet awareness and independence in maintaining personal hygiene (such as learning how to wipe one’s nose and wash hands independently). Children will be provided materials, space and a proven approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori that will enhance a toddler’s ability to meet their developmental milestones. Our toddler program provides them the freedom to learn as much as they can, as quickly as possible, while developing character, independence, and confidence all with the support of our staff.
Helpful Resources:
Benefits of Montessori Education, American Montessori Society
https://amshq.org/Families/Why-Choose-Montessori/Benefits-of-Montessori#
Montessori Activities for Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers, The Montessori Notebook
https://www.themontessorinotebook.com/
Montessori Books & Resources for Parents,
For Small Hands
https://www.forsmallhands.com/
Montessori Madness! - A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education, by Trevor Eissler
www.amazon.com/Montessori-Madness-Parent-Argument-Education/dp/098228330X
Montessori for a Better World, From Parent Child Press. R235.
https://www.montessoriservices.com/Parent-Child-Press
Nurturing the Spirit - in Non-Sectarian Classrooms ~ 20th.
https://www.amazon.com/Nurturing-Spirit-Non-Sectarian-Aline-Wolf/dp/0939195178
Age of Montessori has built up a library of articles and webinars to help parents and teachers apply the Montessori Method in the classroom and at home. Here we have assembled a list of articles under different headings to help you find the articles in your area of interest. Enjoy!
http://ageofmontessori.org/montessori-teacher-parent-resources/
